Guitarist Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström of the Swedish death metal "supergroup" BLOODBATH has issued the following update:

"BLOODBATH just spent the last week at Park Studio in Stockholm where Axe [drummer Martin 'Axe' Axenrot] put down an (un)healthy doze of all the basic ingredients and more to get this death metal monster meal cooking in hell's oven. We're talking classic old-school skin-pounding, furious blast beats, double-bass drums, all kinds of tempos and a heavy load of killer fills, yeah you name it… This time it turned out to be 11 brand new songs on the menu for the band's still-untitled third album."

"So what direction does the material take this time? Well, it's definately taking off where we left with 'Unblessing The Purity'. The material represents nothing but hateful brutality, so there's surely a lot of speed countered with heavy groove. Riff-wise, we're playing a lot with dissonant harmonies for that feverish possessed feeling, but we also brought back the whole melodic yet haunting 'bee-swarming' theme concept from the past albums to represent the classic sound, so there's definately gonna be a good deal of variety on here which we hope to pack together in the most crushing production yet." More...

Swedish death metal "supergroup" BLOODBATH have issued the following update:

"Peaceville has launched a mini-site for the release of Unblessing The Purity where you can hear exclusive audio previews from the 4 songs."

"The mini-CD is also now available for pre-order for only £4.99 (£4.25 outside of EU) plus shipping and handling. Note that the initial pressing will only be available from Peaceville's online store, so go get your copy now!"

Swedish death metal "supergroup" BLOODBATH will release its new four-song mini-CD, "Unblessing The Purity", on March 10 through Peaceville Records. According to the band, "The classic old-school-looking cover artwork was created by Dusty Peterson who won last year's competition. We'd like to congratulate Dusty and thank him for visualizing our art concept. We'd also like to thank all the other artists for taking their time and effort to submit their creations even though it didn't make it all the way. Look out for audio-preview teasers to be posted shortly."

Swedish death metal "supergroup" BLOODBATH have issued the following update:

"Bloodbath are seeking promoters who are interested in booking the band. All serious offers will be taken under consideration. Contact the band at booking@bloodbath.biz (note: this email address is only for promoters and not a contact to Bloodbath. If you want Bloodbath to play in your area, then contact the local promoter and not us.)"

As previously reported, Bloodbath have recently reacquired the vocal talents of OPETH's Mikael Åkerfeldt on the band's new mini-CD, Unblessing Of Purity. More...

Swedish death metal "supergroup" BLOODBATH announced earlier today that OPETH's Mikael Åkerfeldt has laid down the vocal tracks for the band's new mini-CD, which is expected to be issued later in the year. "It's been kept secret since the summer of 2007 when Mike was asked to record vocals for four new tracks destined to be released as the 'Unblessing of Purity' EP," reads a posting on the OPETH web site. "Also, the now legendary Wacken 2005 appearance DVD will come out in a near future through Peaceville Records. On top of this, there are plans to record another full-length record which will be the third since the band was formed in 1999. This will possibly be recorded during 2008."

“BLOODBATH is finally back to put elite death metal on the map. The brand new line-up is shortly to be officially revealed, but has already paved way for a band hungrier than ever to bathe in the blood of a new recording. So in early June, we’ll once again enter Fascination Street studios (same place Nightmares Made Flesh was done) to cut a couple of new songs. In good tradition, each member will contribute to the writing with one song each. The final result will be unleashed in the form of a mini-cd scheduled for release in late summer. This affair will be self-financed and released only by BLOODBATH in a limited edition. Info on how to obtain your copy will follow with the announcement of the exact release date. So stay tuned and get ready… because BLOODBATH is back to DO-MI-NATE!”

Bloodbath' s "Breeding Death", the sold out classic mini CD from 1999 has now been re-released and comes with a revamped layout, previously unreleased lyrics to all songs, plus two demo recordings of the tracks 'Breeding Death' and 'Omnious Bloodvomit'.

Swedish death metal supergroup BLOODBATH has issued the following update:

"Dan Swanö is no longer part of BLOODBATH. The reason being restrictions on his behalf to devote more time and effort to the future of this project that it would require by taking things to the next level i.e. touring and playing live. Moreover, his future vision for BLOODBATH's concept proved to head in the almost opposite direction as his desire for death metal was to be of a less brutal kind, something the remaining members regard as musical differences not interesting to pursue, so at these crossroads, we'd like to wish Dan Swanö good luck with his future endavours and with the music that's closer to his heart. The audition for BLOODBATH is closed. We thank everyone who tried out, but it's with dashing hopes we have to announce there's no suitable replacement that matched our expectations. It was surprising, how so many applications could barely be listened to because of the extreme low quality in talent. We found it shocking to say the least, that same applicants would send us emails claiming they 'killed' both of our previous singers, but all they could achieve at the end of the day was our laughs or sighs. Well, one day we can maybe throw together a little compilation of those efforts and put up an exclusive mp3 right here and you'll be the judge, or have a good laugh or sigh, like us! But this doesn't mean all the applications were bad, actually a couple of them were damn fucking good, but criterias on other levels failed. Life goes on and so does death!" More...

Bloodbath have posted the following message on their website since Peter Tägtgren left the band due to conflicting schedules with Hypocrisy:

"Bloodbath is looking for a new singer that will equal or outdo the two former singers, yes you read that right, so (hint hint), some of you might wanna stop reading here already. Anyways, we're certain a new death metal god is lurking out there as even Mike Åkerfeldt and Peter Tägtgren started out somewhere, being unknown and raw talent. We got a number of very strict rules and high demands and if you dont qualify all of these, then please dont bother applying, thank you very much.More...

Sweden's Opeth have announced by Martin Axenrot of Bloodbath fame will be temporarily taking over from regular drummer Martin Lopez. The latter's still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed, but serious, illness.

Opeth has posted an update on their official website regarding drummer, Martin Lopez, who fell ill during the Sounds of the Underground tour:

During the first weeks of the tour Martin Lopez became seriously ill and had to fly back home to Sweden for treatment. He's currently under supervision and is doing well and we hope for a swift recovery and return to his natural habitat....behind the drums. Legendary basher Gene Hoglan (SYL, Dark angel, Death, Testament and more) filled in for Lopez during the SOTU tour for the last 16 gigs as well as participating in the video shoot for "The grand conjuration". A temporary replacement has been found in Bloodbath/Witchery/Nifelheim drummer Martin Axenrot who will take over Lopez duties until he's fully recovered.

In other news, Opeth upcoming single, "The Grand Conjuration," will be released in the near future. Included on the disc is the edited version of "The Grand Conjuration," as well as the full-length version and another edit of the "Ghost of Perdition" track. A video for edited version of "The Grand Conjuration" was shot in Los Angeles/USA with director Bill Yukich.

Also, Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has recorded vocals for a track destined for the upcoming Roadrunner 25 years compilation CD. The song "Roads" was written by Type O Negative keyboardist Josh Silver. Mikael recorded the vocals while on the SOTU tour in Atlanta/Georgia with guitarist/now producer/engineer James Murphy. Mr. Murphy is currently working with the much talked about Death tribute CD which will include appearances from Mikael Åkerfeldt ("Pull the Plug"), as well as Martin Lopez and Martin Mendez and Peter Lindgren. More...

In a recent interview with BW&BK, Hypocrisy/Pain frontman Peter Tägtgren discussed his decision to leave Bloodbath. For those that have been living under a rock, Tägtgren provided vocals on the band's new album, "Nightmares Made Flesh," replacing Opeth vocalist Mike Akerfeldt.

"Leave? I was never in it," Tägtgren laughs. "They asked me to play Wacken, but I told them I was sorry, that I didn't have time. I don't know where I'm going to be there with Pain or at another festival at the same time. They wanted to announce it as a really special thing, and I understand that, but (Dan) Swanö said that it was okay, they would do it with another singer, and if I have time I could step in. But, Mike is back, so I'm off."

"I don't know if I'll do another Bloodbath album," he continues. "It's up to them. If they want to do it with me, great. That's a killer album. People have been commenting on my voice on that album, and all I can say is that it was the songs that brought it out. I think you'll hear a bit of the same kind of vocals on the new Hypocrisy. Musically, there's going to be some faster stuff on it because we've got Horgh on drums. He's playing blastbeats that are faster than what he did with Immortal. We're never going to be a black metal band, but there are parts that are really fast and technical."

Sweden's Bloodbath have posted this message on their official website:

Since this year's appearance at Wacken might not only be the first, but also the last gig for Bloodbath, we've decided it will be shot for a future dvd release. Through who and when it will be released has yet to be confirmed.

As was previously revealed in a posting on their website, Bloodbath recently parted ways with vocalist Peter Tägtgren because of "conflicting schedules". Bloodbath will be joined by returning frontman Mike Åkerfeldt (Opeth) for their upcoming performance at the Wacken Open Air festival on August 4 in Wacken, Germany.

Mike Åkerfeldt - former Bloodbath member with possibly the best death metal voice in the world has stepped up to help the band destroy Wacken on this exclusive one time happening. This is something that you're guaranteed to never see again as Mike will not be rejoining the band in any way apart from committing to this performance.

In related news, Peter Tägtgren has left the band due to conflicting schedules. We thank him for sharing his acclaimed talent and efforts on "Nightmares Made Flesh." Bloodbath live at Wacken, Blackstage, Friday August 4th:

We're proud to announce that Anders 'Blakkheim' Nyström and Bloodbath have entered an exclusive endorsement deal with ES Guitars from Connecticut, USA. His choice of axe is a model called SS-88AN and was based on their line of "anti-corporate" hand crafted designs to serve as a tool of use and abuse on stage and in the studio. It's been 100% customised to Blakkheim's own preferences and exists only in a 1/1 edition. It's with great pleasure we present a series of pics on how this wikked beazt came alive... You may drool now!

Bloodbath's newest album, "Nightmares Made Flesh", will be released in North America on March 8 through Century Media Records. The North American release will be an enhanced version with two bonus songs taken from a previously unreleased demo recording of the "Breeding Death" EP, as well as a different front cover, featuring artwork by Wes Benscoter.

Bloodbath will be making their live debut at the Wacken Open Air festival this coming August.

The time has finally come for Bloodbath to invade the stage and debut as a live band. We have chosen this extraordinary moment to be fired off at THE european metal festival - Wacken Open air!

However, we're facing some changes in the band's line-up and will confirm the actual performing members asap, so please be patient for further announcements. Also, to be taken into account is that this gig will be worldwide exclusive for 2005 (and who knows... perhaps even beyond that!?), so this is your best shot to rush that stage and bang your heads with us!!! Details on exact date/playing time tba.

Century Media has reportedly pushed back the U.S. release date of Bloodbath's new album "Nightmares Made Flesh" to March 8th from February 8th. Due to the long gap between the European and North American release dates, the American version will be enhanced with two bonus songs taken from a previously unreleased demo recording of "Breeding Death" EP, as well as a different front cover, featuring artwork by Wes Benscoter.